Chapter 28

The drive home was quiet. It took me a little while to process everything Dawson said. I’ve been so caught up in my own problems, I haven’t paid attention to the world around me.

He said that Moonlight was a little different because people are forced to go to classes together and associate. I need to watch how they act toward each other outside of their classes.

I turned my head to sneak a peek at Dawson as he parked his truck. He’s so sweet. Tonight was perfect. He’s someone I could get lost in conversation with. He’s smart, and I have a feeling that nothing gets past him. He knows exactly what goes on around him.

I also need to give him credit. He didn’t try anything. I don’t know if it’s because of what happened with Rowen before we went out, or if he just wants to get to know each other better.

Dawson turned his head and smiled, “Is everything OK?”

“Yah, everything is perfect. Thank you for tonight. I had a really good time.”

“You don’t sound too convincing.”

I laughed, “no really, I couldn’t have planned a better date myself. I’m just thinking about everything that we talked about. I kind of feel like I’ve been being selfish, and only worrying about myself. I think I’m just so used to being around different species that it never dawned on me that other people weren’t raised the same way I was.”

Dawson turned toward me and grabbed my hand, “It’s not selfish. You’ve had a lot going on. Which reminds me you never did tell me what happened the other day, and how my little wolf had magic coming out of her hands.”

I nodded. He deserves an explanation. “I’m not a normal wolf. I come from a line of hybrids in a way. My wolf carries very strong elemental powers. Most of the time, I have complete control over it, but I lost it the other night. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to find out like that. I’m also sorry for the way Creed and the boys treated you. It wasn’t right.”

He shook his head, “You’re not responsible for what they do, and it’s OK. I understand that everyone was just worried about you, me included. I didn’t know what was happening or what to do to help you.”

“I don’t want too many people knowing about my powers. I’ve tried to keep them hidden, but I’m failing miserably at it. If the wrong person finds out, it could put me in a lot of danger. In the world that we live in there’s always a power-hungry asshole, just waiting to take advantage of someone.”

“I get it, and your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you for everything. My life is a complete mess right now, and you have been so patient and understanding about everything. I really appreciate it.”

Dawson smiled and kissed my hand. “Don’t mention it, I’m sure you would do the same for me.”

I nodded and smiled, “I’ll be here anytime you need me.”

“Come on, it’s getting late. I’ll walk you back to your room.”

I grabbed my jacket that I never ended up needing, and Dawson grabbed his bag out of the backseat.

As we started walking up the pathway, I could feel eyes on me. Piercing green ones, in particular. Creed is out here somewhere. I didn’t even think about the time. He goes out almost every night to shift.

I smirked, I’m glad he sees me with Dawson. I want to know if I finally got through to him. Is he going to accept me seeing my other mates.

As we got to the main walkway to my dorm, I saw the front door open and heard Jacie giggling. Shit, it’s too late to put my jacket on. I quickly switched arms and placed my jacket over my injury.

Ezra and Ryker noticed me right away.

“Hey, what are you guys doing here?”

“We just walked over with Jacie. She wanted to get a couple of things from her room, and we wanted to see what you were up to tonight. I guess I know why you aren’t home now.” Ezra smiled.

I smirked at Ryker. They knew I was going out tonight. They were checking to make sure I made it home safe.

“I’m good, I was out with Dawson.”

I watched the smile fall from all three of the boys faces. I can already feel the anger rolling off him.

I turned around and Creed was standing a couple feet away from me with his arms crossed and a look so fierce it could make the devil submit.

His eyes met mine and I stood there completely frozen. I can see the fire from within him raging through his eyes.

“What happened to you?” His eyes moved down to my arm and then back up to meet mine. Crap, he saw it.

I stared at him for a minute as I tried to choose my words wisely.

“Your arm, Bella. Is he the one that hurt you?” Creed turned his head and stared Dawson down.

I could feel the boy’s stepping closer to me.

“What’s wrong with your arm, Bella?” Ryker asked as he gently took my jacket from my arm.

I don’t know what to say. I can’t find my words. Ryker lifted my arm up by holding my elbow. “Son of a, who did this to you?” Ryker, Ezra, and Drake’s eyes all moved to Dawson.

“All of you stop now. It wasn’t Dawson. He has been a perfect gentleman all night. It happened before Dawson picked me up, and I handled it.”

“That’s a large hand print. We’re not done handling it. Who was it? Start talking, I want every detail?” Ryker walked in front of me and stared me down.

“Don’t try to protect anyone that put their hands on you. By how deep the bruising is, they clearly had a tight grip on you, and they used enough force to break your bone.” Ryker stood in front of me and crossed his arms, making sure he had my full attention.

I swallowed hard, there is no way out of this. If I don’t tell them the truth, they’re going to assume it was Dawson.

“Rowen stopped over as I was getting around for my date with Dawson. I was in the middle of taking a bath when I heard someone knocking on my door. I assumed it was Jacie and I opened the door without looking. I was only in a towel, and when Rowen saw me, he lost control of his wolf.”

“I thought I smelled a scent that didn’t belong in your room. Especially where I smelled it.” Ezra looked at Jacie.

“No, Ezra. She didn’t do anything. After Rowen got control of himself, I had him sit on Jacie’s bed. I didn’t trust him, and I needed to see his eyes.”

“Which dorm is he in?” Creed asked.

“I don’t know. I kicked him out, and then I left with Dawson.”

“You knew about this, and you let that fucker walk away.” Creed stared Dawson down.

“I didn’t see her arm until after he left. Then she insisted that she handled it. I planned on tracking him down after I dropped her off.”

I scrunched my eyebrows and looked at Dawson. I just said he was a perfect gentleman tonight.

Creed nodded, “Who’s your best tracker here?”

“No Creed. I don’t want any of you going after him.”

“His name is Jack. I can have him here in 5 minutes.”

“No, you can’t. Are any of you listening to me?”

“Jacie, can I have your key? The scent is still strong in there, we should be able to track him quickly. Ezra, Drake, we can have one of you take the girls to our room and one of you can come with us.” Ryker looked between Ezra and Drake as he waited to see what they wanted to do.

“No, I’m not going anywhere and stay out of my room. I have a say in this. I’m the one that was hurt.”

They continued to make plans like I’m not even here. Sure, now that you all have the same goal in mind, you can all get along. I’ve had enough. I’m so mad I can feel my fire igniting in my gut. Screw them. I stepped in the middle of their circle and allowed the fire within me to run down the veins in my arms.

I glared at every one of them as I let the fire release from my hands. I won’t hurt any of them, but I need to get their attention. They all looked at me as I held a large fireball in each of my hands.

“All of you listen to me?” I looked around and made eye contact with every one of them to make sure I had their attention.

“I don’t want anyone to go after Rowen at this point. I have a feeling that something is wrong with his wolf. I’m not condoning what he did, or saying that it’s OK, but I need to see what he does next. I need to know if his control issues were a one-time thing, or if he is just plain a jerk. If he hurts me in any way again, I’ll stand back and let you guys do whatever you want to him, but no one touches him at this point.”

Dawson and the boys all looked at each other. Creed stared directly in my eyes and walked closer to me. There’s not a hint of fear in his eyes from my fire.

He licked his lower lip, “Are you sure you want to fight fire with fire?”

A chill ran down my spine, and I know he’s not talking about the fire in my hand.